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Partner Information:

Title: Partner

Location: Menlo Park, US West

Blog:

Firm Rating:

Firm Information:

Type: Medium Private VC

FIRM DESCRIPTION: BlueRun Ventures is a leading early stage venture capital fund focused on Internet, Media and Mobile. For the last 10 years, BlueRun Ventures has worked with early stage companies to build lasting businesses and successful exits across global markets. BlueRun supports its entrepreneurs by lending its operating and investing experience to guide young companies through competitive and rapidly changing environments. With over $1 billion of capital under management, BlueRun Ventures continues to look for passionate entrepreneurs and market changing ideas. The firm has offices in Menlo Park, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, and Helsinki.

Formerly Nokia Ventures, we walked into their conference room with the PayPal logo on the glass door. John Malloy was there with Jonathan Ebinger, both were courteous, talked about the future of the company and were primarily interested in a mobile play (give their experience). They got early cold feet, but in general understood where they were in the process.

Posted by
KuH
on 2008-11-20

PUBLIC:

I can't comment on the US partners. They only have the one partner in Europe, Antti (I'm not sure who suggested 'they have to check with Finland' - the team is largely US based). For a pitch, he is very bright, talks quickly, and is very focused on quickly getting the points answered that he had questions on. Generally impressed.

John is one of the best VCs I've worked with. As a 3 time CEO, I've raised lots of money and survived lots of problems and tough VCs. John is a straight shooter with great instincts, tons of mobile expertise and contacts and invariably helpful.

One thing I appreciated most was John's consistency and ability to weather the storms. We came out successful but could have easily thrown in the towel a couple of times.

You must have caught John on a really bad day. We all have those days. But in general I would highly recommend John and BRV as a great influence on the board.

Posted by
termsheettremors
on 2008-05-05

PUBLIC:

Super nice bunch of guys. Formerly Nokia Ventures they like mobile, semi conductors, etc. However, in terms of bleeding edge, early-stage stuff they are not well-versed and defer to portfolio companies for advice.

Posted by
taurus
on 2008-01-24

PUBLIC:

I sent them information on my company. They replied with a quasi positive on the service/product, and passed. The feedback was ambiguous and useless. Shallow response is how I would label what I got from them.

Talking to some Nokia people, our information ended up in the hands of BRV. Out of the blue I received a very snotty, condescending e-mail from BRV telling me that they had exited several companies doing what we are doing. Clearly hadn't read anything about us. And even if it was true, there was no need to be rude.

To find out more about Nokia Ventures try and get hold of a copy of Riot On - the Finnish TV show about Riot Entertainment and how it burnt through $22m in 666 days, mainly on expenses. Antti Kokenen was chair throughout.

Posted by
Anonymous
on 2007-08-12

PUBLIC:

The BlueRun team worked with me 24x7 before funding my company. They had detailed due diligence done in record time. Once I got funded, they continued to work with me as if they are an extension to my management team. Sujit Banerjee is a hard-working, highly intelligent and a very well networked VC in the industry. He is a ball of energy. Sujit takes the initiative to work with my team, he follows up on AR's within hours not days. What a pleasure to work with.